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Dear Natalie: Week 27

You went to your first hockey game this weekend so we could watch your dad play. You watched, rapt with attention, as the skaters flew around the ice. The buzzer startled you every time, but you didn’t cry.

When the game was over I handed you to your dad, who took you for a spin around the rink.

You loved it. Grinning from ear to ear, but keeping your head turned so you could still see me. Are you watching, mom? Are you seeing this? This is AWESOME!

And just in case that wasn’t enough excitement, we had our first swimming lesson this week. I was pretty sure you’d have a good time, given how much you loved being in the water at Christmas, and you definitely enjoyed yourself.

I was a little nervous when the no-nonsense instructor strongly suggested that we all let her dunk our babies under the water, but agreed with her that the earlier we get you comfortable with that little maneuver, the better. With a tiny bit of trepidation about your reaction, I handed you over. Before you had any clue what was happening, she deftly swooped you under the water and passed you back to me.

Oh, how I wish I’d had a camera for that moment.

You came up sputtering and blinking and flailing your arms like, what on God’s green earth just happened??, water streaming off your head. But you didn’t cry, sweet girl, not that time or the second time we did the underwater pass. Once your eyes cleared you were perfectly fine and carried on splashing and kicking as if nothing had happened.

Sometimes you make me wonder whether you swim like a goldfish or if you just have the memory of one.

No matter. I’m proud of you for handling all of these new experiences so well, and proud of myself for letting you take them on.

16 Responses to Dear Natalie: Week 27

Aww, I love this idea of writing a letter to your baby every week. I wish I would have thought of it when my boys were babies. It is a great way to document the new things that they encounter. I have such trouble remembering when my sons did what for the first time.

Thanks, Alessia! In the beginning it was hard to stay on top of the weekly letters; with such a brand new baby I was exhausted and had a hard time dragging myself to the computer. But I am so, so glad that I did – and it’s a TON easier now that she’s older (and taking more reliable naps!)